Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-07
A LABOR PLATFORM.

The Union Labor party, of Ohio, has
met in Convention and put forth its decla
ration of principles, a synopsis of which
comes by telegraph. 1t Is to be first noted
that on the ticket nominated there is not
name eminent in reform, mechanics,
philanthropy or political knowledge. We
tail to find the names Of nominees who
have been heard of outside of Ohio, and
the suggestion may be ventured that they
have not been much known within the
state The labor interests ought to be
able to enlist for candidates men of some
distinguished prominence in reform move
ments, whose past public endeavor would
constitute guarantee for their future.
The platform-the first in the field this
year-has in it elements of mixed good
and i'll. The resolution which demands
that the laws against the employment of
bribery, force or intimidation to secure the
nomination or election to public Office be
rigidly enforced, is sound and commend
able, and can challenge no issue. The
addition that free drinks or lunches at
saloons shalt be declared bribery by
statute refers, we presune to such free
dispensation on election days and for po-
itical purposes. 1t has, therefore, the
right ring, aud is . fit companion to the
first sentence quoted.
The demand that banks shall be REQUIRED
to give security in the average amount of
their deposits, is not new The declaration
that speculation in the necessaries of life
should he made criminal effense, is i'm
practicable. There is scarcely any posi-
bility of any such penal offenses being de-
lined by law in this day. 1t was tried in
New York, with no success, and the better
judgment there is that such matters are
best left to the regulative control of
commercial laws. Any system as
yet devised to correct speculation
has proved lame and hating. In an ideal
state of society it may be possible to alb
solutely prevent that complained Of but
1t will be because society itself will have
then reached level in which the need
ior law on the subject will not be felt.
The more important, however. of the
resolutions, Is that which declares that
discrimination against lawful associations
oil employees to secure their.rights, violates
the constitutional rights of the citizens
and should be declared felonv.r Taking
1t IN its broad sense, and constituting it as it
Is evidently intended TO he understood, 1t
IS pronunciamento against Iockouts and
the retaliatory action of employers in the
case Of strikes, boycotts, etc. The labor
party of Ohio, having declared against the
lockout, against the discrimination that
refuses men employment because related
to labor organizations, inevitably commits
the labor organizations represented in the
Convention, against the strike and the
boycott, which are the causes of retalistory
action by employers. If the one is wrong
the other must be; if the one is tolerable
so also is the other.
The boycott as used b. the trade and
labor organizations Is weapon of wrong
and injustice; but so long as it is practieed
and tolerated the organization of the en-
ployer class in resistance must also be
recognized. The latter, We repeat, is the
legitimate fruit Of the former.
Evidently the resolution is protest
against resistance by employers to those
who seek to run their business But we
rciierate that the logic of the thing is that
If the lockout and the employer boycott
are SO blameworthy as to be made criminal
otienses, so too is the strike and the en-
plnves' boycott